New Fort Eustis Commander To Take On Changes, Challenges

Fort Eustis welcomed a new commanding general and a Hampton Roads native son Friday when Brig. Gen. Robert T. Dail took over the Army Transportation Center at Fort Eustis.

The new top officer of the Transportation Corps and Fort Eustis hails from Chesapeake. He went to college in Richmond. His wife, Anne, is from Roanoke.

More than 1,000 soldiers and Marines in pressed uniforms and shined black boots paraded before their new general on a perfect summer day while flags representing the states and territories flapped gently in the wind.

An officer with extensive command and staff experience, Dail, 47, will need all his skills to manage a command that's undergoing unprecedented change and challenges.

Maj. Gen. William E. Mortensen, the outgoing commanding general, referred to those challenges in his parting comments.

"Buckle up. It's already programmed to be a wild ride," Mortensen advised Dail, who's been nominated for his second star.

With another round of base closures looming and massive renovations planned, Dail's time as commander will be eventful.

Eustis is undergoing millions of dollars in much needed renovations and improvements. Projects either completed or planned include a learning center, fitness center and NCO Academy. One of the most ambitious projects at the Newport News base is the creation of nearly 600 barracks rooms.

But as transportation chief, Dail's responsibilities stretch far beyond the gates of Fort Eustis and include getting the Army wherever it needs to be in the world. Dail's other titles include commander of the U.S. Army Transportation Center, commandant of the U.S. Army Transportation School and deputy commanding general of the Army's Combined Arms Support Command for Transportation.

Before arriving at Eustis, Dail commanded the 3rd Corps Support Command, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army.

Mortensen is being reassigned to Kaiserslautern, Germany, to command the 21st Theater Support Command.

Rick Rogers can be reached at 247-4629 or by e- mail at rrogers@dailypress.com